Police Department News

Three police officers will be presented the Medal of Valor on Friday, September 29th, and the promotion of 11 others will be announced during a ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Public Safety Center, 725 N. Cherry St.

Also on Friday, David and Elizabeth Barabe will be honored for their financial support that helped the department buy police dogs for its K-9 Unit. The Barabes will receive a plaque in appreciation for their substantial financial support of the department’s K-9 Unit.

Police Chief Pat Norris will present Sgt. Jack W. Marble and Officers Timothy M. Howes and Matthew J. O’Reilly with the Medal of Valor for ignoring their personal safety and maintaining their composure while under fire in order to prevent death or injury to members of the community.

On Aug. 13, 2005, Marble and O’Reilly responded to a report of a man with a gun in the 100 block of Miller Street. After searching the area, they located a suspect who ignored directions from Marble and ran back into his apartment. He fired several times at Marble’s patrol car with a .22-caliber rifle, hitting the windshield.

Howes, along with Lieutenant Bryan L. Macy and Officer Rodney K. Griffin, arrived as backup. They were fired upon several times while setting up an inner perimeter to contain the suspect in his apartment. The suspect was unable to escape and was apprehended.

Macy and Griffin will be presented the Medal of Valor at a separate ceremony in mid-October for their actions during the same incident.

Also on Friday, the following promotions will be announced, effective October 9:

In addition, Sharon Brown will be recognized for her promotion to police records squad supervisor on September 25 and Edward C. Haire will be recognized for his promotion from acting reserve major to reserve major on September 25.